In this class the emphasis
will be on the writing of experimental and formally-innovative poetry,
that is, non-narrative poetry. We will investigate the experimental, the
improvizational, and broaden our horizons about the "materials"
of poetry. We will also keep a close eye on poetry as it relates to the
Web, including digital and other technologically mediated poetry, sound
poetry, and procedural writing. This class will involve reading essays
related to form and technique. An anthology of innovative poetry will
be assigned. (Reading poetry AS A POET will constitute part of our approach
to writing poetry.) Assignments of Web and other electronic sources will
also be given. Course content will also consist of additional lectures,
films, and out-of-class events. In addition to print poetry, students
interested in the production of multimedia and Web-based poetry are welcome.
Poetry writing exercises will be a regular part of class. Text: In
the American Tree (Silliman, ed.) at Talking Leaves, 3158 Main
Street (837-8554).

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Grades: 25% class participation,
50% written responses, 25% quizzes.

1. Reading. As the course description
indicates, this is a course for writers of poetry who are also readers
of poetry. Further, we will consider poetry in the broader concept of
"poesis" ... or making. That is, there are a number of art forms
(for example, music, painting, digital media arts, etc.) that can also
be part of our "reading". We need to keep an open mind about
what might help us develop our poetry writing vision. The idea is to see
art in its larger context of engaging the materials of the given medium,
a fact of great importance to those who make art with words. The reading
for this course embodies various approaches to such a poesis. It is absolutely
crucial in developing the way we think about poetry, writing, and digital
media. It is required that you do ALL reading.

2. Writing assignments. To
be handed in each class are TWO assignments, a "response text"
AND a "method text". These should be one page each in length
TYPED and, as a whole over the semester, constitute your final project.
Be prepared to read them in class as reading your work to others forms
a core of how we communicate in this class. Take some time with these,
they are central to the class and significant to your grade. MARK EACH
PAGE "RESPONSE TEXT, DATE" AND "METHOD TEXT, DATE"
ACCORDINGLY.

Response text. Response texts
express your thoughts and feelings on the reading. Take time to think
about the issues, styles, concepts, and materials the reading and essay
present to you as a writer. Write a one-page prose condensation of your
thoughts and reactions to the reading. Note: This can be informal in tone.
Research is not required.

Method text. Choose ONE text
from choices on syllabus. Write one page of poetry responding to the text.
Note source text at the top of the page. Ideally, your response will explore
the possibilities of the method of the chosen work. You may also take
an alternative approach in your response. REQUIRED: Two-line explanation
of how your method *works* in relation to the poem.

For my class what I'd like
to see is that you, sticking to the one-page page limits, take the methods
very seriously. Really try to see what a given poet's method is and then
let the method drive your writing assignments, rather than falling back
on your normal way of writing. I would like to see students let the methods
break apart their normal creative patterns, voices, and narrative modes,
so that this class can be a discovery of what new possibilities lie beneath,
the unacknowledged rich veins of creative possibility, an opportunity
to get outside of one's normal practice to expand one's perspective.

Attendance
in the course and participation in discussion are crucial. As this
is a summer course and each class counts as a week of regular semester
class, students may only have one unexcused absence; one letter grade
will be subtracted for each additional unexcused absence. Required attendance
includes all lectures, films, and out-of-class events. Content of these
events will be covered on quizzes and exams. Except
for documented emergencies, THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS
TO CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICIES!

You must
complete all readings and turn in all written assignments. Points will
be deducted from your grade if you fail to satisfy these course requirements.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Roll can be taken
at the beginning and/or at the end of class or at any time during class.
Since class is viewed as a collaborative learning experience, your presence
is crucial. Therefore, you are expected to attend every class, to be on
time, to stay until the end of class, and to return promptly from any
breaks. Any material missed due to tardiness or late returns from break
may affect your grade.

You are required to
check the online syllabus each night before class. If you can also check
the syllabus during the day preceding each class that will also be helpful.

You are required to
provide to the professor a valid e-mail address of your chosing. Additional
details about assignments and other class-related activities will be sent
via e-mail. You are required to check your e-mail frequently. NOTE: MESSAGES
SENT TO THE PROFESSOR MUST HAVE "ENG 389" AS PART OF THE SUBJECT
LINE.

Class content may
include out-of-class events, guest speakers, videos, sound events, performances,
and other non-book materials. You are encouraged to take notes on these
events as they are a crucial part of the course content. Some out-of-class
events may have additional expenses associated with them. As the cost
of text books for this course is relatively low, you are asked to have
some flexibility when it comes to such costs.

Quizzes, exams, and
course assignments include not only the text but all material presented
in class, including lectures by the professor, videos, oral reports by
other students, study guides, and assigned out-of-class events.

Extra credit opportunities
are to be taken seriously. In my experience students with the highest
grades usually have also completed, when available, extra credit opportunities.
Take advantage of these when and if they are available.

KEEP YOUR OWN COPIES
OF ALL MATERIALS HANDED IN. Material may not be returned and you are responsible
for proving material was turned in when due.

Requirements for this
course are someone rigorous. That is, I do not expect you to sit in the
audience and be sponges. I expect you to be AN ACTIVE PART of the new
threshholds we are crossing. I expect you to be proactive and involved.
In return, I anticipate that you will have a most uncommon learning experience,
ripe with the richness of new artistic frontiers.

ORAL
REPORTS (IF APPLICABLE)

The Oral report
should last 10 minutes. The report should contain: (1) brief biography
of the artists or brief history of the topic; (2) social context narrative
(see following explanation); and (3) a "reading" of a short
piece of work by the artist. The biography should be brief, giving the
most significant moments for the subject. The social context narrative
should give a picture of the artist or topic in his/her/ira time, with
special attention to the social context (i.e., what was happening in the
world surrounding the artist). It should illustrate the artistic context
for the artist or of the topic. For example, if a musician, what engagement
did the artist have with the literary world. What were the movies, novels,
dominant art world movements, political fears, social conditions of the
time. If a poet, what music were they listening to? The "reading"
means to take a poem or piece of music and give an explanation of, based
on the insights you gained from the biography/history and the social context
narrative, take us through the piece and show what it might be trying
to express, what is behind its ideas, what are its nuances. NOTES: Please
make sure your presentation is between 8-10 minutes. Do a rehearsal and
time it in advance of your presentation. You should provide a handout
for the class. You should also hand in a one-page summary of your main
points to me.

SYLLABUS

NOTE: There will be two out-of-class
events. We will schedule these, as much as possible, to conform to your
schedules.